U.S. patent number 4,205,775 [Application Number 05/961,416] was granted by the patent office on 1980-06-03 for polygonal container.
Invention is credited to Walter B. Swan.
United States Patent |
4,205,775 |
Swan |
June 3, 1980 |
Polygonal container
Abstract
Polygonal containers of the present invention include a
container sides assembly and a container bottom assembly which are
adapted for interlocking engagement. The container sides assembly
has a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hingedly
interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the
polygonal container. A plurality of lower edge flaps are hingedly
connected to the lower edge of the rectangular side panels and are
adapted for folding upwardly and inside the enclosure to
interlockingly receive corresponding elements from the container
bottom assembly. The container bottom assembly has a polygonal
bottom panel having sides equal in number to the rectangular side
panels and are of such a size to fit snugly within the container
sides assembly when in assembled configuration for forming the
container bottom. A plurality of ear members equal in number to the
number of sides of the polygonal bottom panel are each hingedly
connected to a side of the polygonal bottom panel and are
downwardly extending therefrom for operative engagement with the
upwardly extending lower edge flaps of the container sides
assembly. A bottom reinforcement element corresponding generally in
shape and size to the polygonal bottom panel is disposed in
intimate proximity to the polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and
strengthen same.
Inventors: |
Swan; Walter B. (Chicago Ridge,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
25504442 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/961,416 |
Filed: |
November 16, 1978 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/104; 206/509;
229/110; 229/125.26; 229/138; 229/145; 229/915; 229/108;
229/117.14; 229/122.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
5/12 (20130101); B65D 5/6602 (20130101); Y10S
229/915 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
5/02 (20060101); B65D 5/12 (20060101); B65D
5/66 (20060101); B65D 5/64 (20060101); B65D
005/12 (); B65D 005/64 () |
Field of
Search: |
;229/23BT,41C,45,44,38,37R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moorhead; Davis T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ward; Robert M.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A polygonal container having a container sides assembly and a
container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking
engagement with said container sides assembly at the lower portion
thereof for forming the container bottom:
said container sides assembly comprising:
a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hingedly
interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the
polygonal container; and
a plurality of lower edge flaps each connected to the lower edge of
a corresponding rectangular side panel to form a container sides
assembly lower edge hinge, said lower edge flaps reflexively folded
at the lower edge hinges upwardly and inside the enclosure to form
an interlocking fold space between each said lower edge flap and
the corresponding said rectangular side panel, each said
interlocking fold space adapted for receiving the corresponding
element from said container bottom assembly for secure engagement
between said container sides assembly and said container bottom
assembly; and
said container bottom assembly comprising:
a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in number to said
rectangular side panels and being of such a size to fit snugly
within said container sides assembly when in assembled
configuration for forming the container bottom;
a plurality of ear members equal in number to said number of sides
of said polygonal bottom panel, each said ear member being
connected to a corresponding side of said polygonal bottom panel at
an ear member hinge and being downwardly extending from said
corresponding side of said polygonal bottom panel for disposition
into the interlocking fold space formed by each said upwardly
extending lower edge flap and its corresponding rectangular side
panel of said container sides assembly; and
bottom reinforcement means corresponding generally in shape and
size to said polygonal bottom panel and disposed in intimate
proximity to said polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and stengthen
said polygonal bottom panel.
2. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom
reinforcement means is in contact with and fixedly secured to said
polygonal bottom panel at the underside thereof.
3. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom
reinforcement means is maintained in intimate proximity to said
polygonal bottom panel by means of an interference fit between said
bottom reinforcement means and said plurality of lower edge flaps
when said lower edge flaps are folded upwardly and inside the
container enclosure to interlockingly receive said ear members of
said container bottom assembly.
4. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom
reinforcement means comprises an insert of a hard, resilient
material.
5. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom
reinforcement means comprises an insert of styrofoam material.
6. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom
reinforcement means comprises an insert of corrugated material
having a multiplicity of corrugated ribs extending normal to said
polygonal bottom panel, said multiplicity of corrugated ribs
disposed across substantially one face of said polygonal bottom
panel to support and reinforce the entirety of the polygonal bottom
panel and especially against a downwardly compressive force.
7. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom
reinforcement means comprises:
a polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel corresponding
generally in size and shape to said polygonal bottom panel;
a plurality of supplemental bottom reinforcement panels, each
corresponding generally in size and shape to said polygonal central
bottom reinforcement panel; and
hinge means disposed between one side of each supplemental bottom
reinforcement panel and a corresponding side of said polygonal
central bottom reinforcement panel for reflexively folding a first
said supplemental bottom reinforcement panel and the others in
sequence to the last supplemental bottom reinforcement means onto
said polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel to form a
multilayered configuration having a substantial thickness, the
length of said hinge means between said supplemental bottom
reinforcement panels and said polygonal central reinforcement panel
increasing proportionally from said first supplemental bottom
reinforcement panel, whereby said multilayered configuration once
folded will tend to remain in such folded multilayered
configuration without substantial application of external
force.
8. The polygonal container of claim 7 wherein said polygonal bottom
reinforcemental panel, said supplemental bottom reinforcement
panels, and said hinge means comprise a unitary panel of corrugated
material having corrugated ribs disposed generally parallel to each
other and uniformly along the length of said unitary panel, whereby
when said supplemental bottom panels are reflexively folded to form
said multilayered configuration said corrugated ribs on adjacent
supplemental bottom panels overlap each other at an acute angle to
form a structure having substantially uniform flex resistance.
9. The polygonal container of claim 8 wherein the number of
polygonal sides of each of said polygonal bottom panel and said
corresponding bottom reinforcement means is less than seven in
number.
10. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said bottom
reinforcement means comprises:
a plurality of hingedly interconnected supplemental bottom support
panels of substantially the same size and shape as said polygonal
bottom panel and at least one of which is hingedly connected to
said bottom support panel at a polygonal side thereof for reflexive
folding onto said bottom support panel thereby to provide
reinforcement thereto.
11. The polygonal container of claim 10 wherein said supplemental
bottom support panels are reflexively folded onto the underside of
said polygonal bottom container.
12. The polygonal container of claim 11 wherein at least one of
said supplemental bottom support panels is hingedly connected
directly to each of a pair of opposing polygonal sides of said
polygonal bottom support panel.
13. The polygonal container of claim 12 wherein said opposingly
connected supplemental bottom support panels are hingedly connected
to the polygonal side of said polygonal bottom panel near the
juncture of said polygonal side with the adjacent polygonal side of
said polygonal bottom panel.
14. The polygonal container of claim 13 wherein one of said ear
members is connected on said polygonal side interior of the
connection thereof with said supplemental bottom support panel.
15. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said polygonal
bottom panel is interlockingly secured at a substantial distance
above said container sides assembly lower edge hinges, whereby any
contents of said polygonal container are supported and carried
substantially above the surface on which the polygonal container
rests, thereby to protect such contents from damage from any liquid
on such surface and to cushion such contents from vibration or
movement of such surface.
16. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein each said lower edge
flap of said container sides assembly has a free edge disposed
opposite to its corresponding lower edge hinge, each said free edge
contacting said polygonal bottom panel in the proximity of the ear
member hinge thereof to support thereby said polygonal bottom
panel.
17. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein each ear member of
said polygonal bottom panel has a terminal edge disposed opposite
to its corresponding lower edge hinge, each said terminal edge
contacting said lower hinge within the interlocking fold space to
further support said polygonal bottom panel.
18. A polygonal container having a container sides assembly and a
container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking
engagement with said container sides assembly at the lower portion
thereof for forming the container bottom:
said container sides assembly comprising:
a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hingedly
interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the
polygonal container; and
a plurality of lower edge flaps hingedly connected to the lower
edge of said rectangular side panels and adapted for folding
upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive
corresponding elements from said container bottom assembly; and
said container bottom assembly comprising:
a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in number to said
rectangular side panels and being of such a size to fit snugly
within said container side assembly when in assembled configuration
for forming the container bottom;
a plurality of ear members equal in number to said number of sides
of said polygonal bottom panel, each of which ear members is
hingedly connected to a side of said polygonal bottom panel and is
downwardly extending therefrom for operative engagement with said
upwardly extending lower edge flaps of said container sides
assembly; and
bottom reninforcement means corresponding generally in shape and
size to said polygonal bottom panel and disposed in intimate
proximity to said polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and
strengthen said polygonal bottom panel
said bottom reinforcement means comprising:
a plurality of hingedly interconnected supplemental bottom support
panels of substantially the same size and shape as said polygonal
bottom panel and at least one of which is hingedly connected to
said bottom support panel at a polygonal side thereof for reflexive
folding onto the underside of said bottom support panel thereby to
provide reinforcement thereto,
at least one of said supplemental bottom support panels being
hingedly connected directly to each of a pair of opposing polygonal
sides of said polygonal bottom support panel,
and at least one supplemental bottom support panel on each opposed
side of said polygonal bottom panel being foldable along a fold
line dividing each said supplemental bottom support panel into
substantially equal parts for reflexively folding at least said
supplemental bottom support panel onto itself,
whereby when said container bottom assembly is in folded
configuration each said opposing supplemental bottom support panel
reinforces one-half of said polygonal bottom panel.
19. The polygonal container of claim 18 wherein second supplemental
bottom support panels having said fold lines thereon are hingedly
connected to said oppositely disposed first supplemental bottom
support panels for additional reinforcement of said polygonal
bottom panel.
20. A polygonal container having a container sides assembly and a
container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking
engagement with said container sides assembly at the lower portion
thereof for forming the container bottom:
said container sides assembly comprising:
a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hingedly
interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the
polygonal container; and
a plurality of lower edge flaps hingedly connected to the lower
edge of said rectangular side panels and adapted for folding
upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive
corresponding elements from said container bottom assembly; and
said container bottom assembly comprising:
a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in number to said
rectangular side panels and being of such a size to fit snugly
within said container sides assembly when in assembled
configuration for forming the container bottom;
a plurality of ear members equal in number to said number of sides
of said polygonal bottom panel, each of which ear member is
hingedly connected to a side of said polygonal bottom panel and is
downwardly extending therefrom for operative engagement with said
upwardly extending lower edge flaps of said container sides
assembly; and
bottom reinforcement means corresponding generally in shape and
size to said polygonal bottom panel and disposed in intimate
proximity to said polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and
strengthen said polygonal bottom panel,
said bottom reinforcement means comprising a strip of substantially
flexible material spirally wound to form a cylindrical body having
a diameter of such size sufficient to fit snugly with respect to
lower edge flaps of said container sides assembly when said
container sides assembly is disposed in interlocking engagement
with said container bottom assembly.
21. The polygonal container of claim 20 wherein said polygonal
container has more than eleven polygonal sides.
22. A polygonal container having a container sides assembly and a
container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking
engagement with said container sides assembly at the lower portion
thereof for forming the container bottom:
said container sides assembly comprising:
a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hingedly
interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the
polygonal container; and
a plurality of lower edge flaps hingedly connected to the lower
edge of said rectangular side panels and adapted for folding
upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive
corresponding elements from said container bottom assembly; and
said container bottom assembly comprising:
a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in number to said
rectangular side panels and being of such size to fit snugly within
said container sides assembly when in assembled configuration for
forming the container bottom;
a plurality of ear members equal in number to said number of sides
of said polygonal bottom panel, each of which ear members is
hingedly connected to a side of said polygonal bottom panel and is
downwardly extending thereform for operative engagement with said
upwardly extending lower edge flaps of said container sides
assembly; and
bottom reinforcement means corresponding generally in shape and
size to said polygonal bottom panel and disposed in intimate
proximity to said polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and
strengthen said polygonal bottom panel; and
a stacking cavity disposed at the bottom of said polygonal
container bounded by said bottom reinforcement means lower surface
and said lower edge flaps when said container sides assembly and
said container bottom assembly are disposed in interlocking
engagement,
said polygonal container further including means for covering the
opening at the top of the enclosure formed by said rectangular side
panels, said covering means including thereon stacking means
projecting above the surface thereof for engagement with said
stacking cavity of another said polygonal container.
23. The polygonal container of claim 22 wherein said stacking means
and said stacking cavity are such corresponding size and shape to
fit substantially snugly together whereby stable stacking of
several such polygonal containers may be maintained.
24. The polygonal container of claim 23 wherein said stacking means
comprises at least two polygonal stacking panels hingedly connected
at polygonal sides thereof for reflexively folding together into
intimate contact of the respective faces thereof to form a stacking
block of substantial thickness for said stacking engagement with
said stacking cavity.
25. The polygonal container of claim 24 wherein said polygonal
container further includes:
lid means for covering the opening at the top of the enclosure
formed by said rectangular side panels, said lid means having a lid
aperture disposed sufficiently near a proximate polygonal side of
said polygonal container for manually grasping and handling said
lid means and thereby said polygonal container; and
handle grip reinforcement means hingedly connected at the proximal
portion thereof to the top edge of the rectangular side panel
forming said proximate polygonal side and projecting laterally
across said opening to a position adjacent said lid aperture
whereby said handle grip reinforcement means is manually graspable
in handling said polygonal container.
26. The polygonal container of claim 25 wherein said proximate
rectangular side panel includes horizontal slot means disposed near
said hinged connection between said handle grip reinforcement means
and said proximate rectangular side panel and handle grip
reinforcement means comprises a grip member reflexively foldable at
a central portion thereof and containing at the distal portion
thereof a mating tab for locking engagement with said horizontal
slot means.
27. A polygonal container having a container sides assembly and a
container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking
engagement with said container sides assembly at the lower portion
thereof for forming the container bottom:
said container sides assembly comprising:
a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hingedly
interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the
polygonal container; and
a plurality of lower edge flaps hingedly connected to the lower
edge of said rectangular side panels and adapted for folding
upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive said
polygonal to panel, each said lid side panel disposable downwardly
when in assembled configuration into contacting relationship with
the top portion of the corresponding rectangular side panels of
said container sides assembly to close the opening at the top of
said enclosure formed by said container sides assembly, each said
lid side panel having opposed side edges, a pair of said lid side
panels being connected to second and third said lid polygonal sides
are immediately adjacent said first lid polygonal side, each of
said second and third lid polygonal sides having a free side edge
and an abutting side edge, and the remainder of said lid side
panels having two opposed abutting side edges when said lid side
panels are disposed downwardly in said assembled configuration;
a plurality of locking panels, being two less in number than the
number of polygonal sides of the polygonal container, each of which
is hingedly connected to an opposed side edge of a corresponding
lid side panel, and each of which bears a locking protrusion
thereon; and
a plurality of securement panels, being three less in number than
the number of sides of said polygonal container, each of which is
hingedly connected at its proximal end to the distal end of one of
said remainder of said lid side panels, and each said securement
panel having a lock slit at the hinged connection with said
corresponding lid side panel for mating engagement with said
locking protrusion thereby to secure said lid in assembled
configuration.
28. The polygonal container of claim 27 wherein said lid and said
container sides assembly further include lid securement means for
removably securing said assembled lid atop said assembled container
sides assembly, said lid securement means comprising:
a securement release access aperture disposed in at least one of
said remainder of said lid side panels to form an apertured lid
side panel;
a lid securement flap hingedly disposed at the top edge of the
rectangular side panel corresponding to each said apertured lid
side panel, each said lid securement flap foldable outwardly and
downwardly for locking engagement with said corresponding
securement panel distal edge,
whereby when in assembled configuration said lid may be disposed
over said top portion of said container sides assembly to slide
over and lockingly engage said lid securement flaps, and whereby
said lid securement flaps may be pressed and disposed slightly
inwardly through said securement release access aperture thereby to
disengage said lid securement flap from said securement panel
distal edge for removing said cover.
29. A polygonal container having a container sides assembly and a
container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking
engagement with said container sides assembly at the lower portion
thereof for forming the container bottom:
said container sides assembly comprising:
a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hingedly
interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the
polygonal container; and
a plurality of lower edge flaps hingedly connected to the lower
edge of said rectangular side panels and adapted for folding
upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive
corresponding elements from said container bottom assembly; and
said container bottom assembly comprising:
a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in number to said
rectangular side panels and being of such a size to fit snugly
within said container sides assembly when in assembled
configuration for forming the container bottom;
a plurality of ear members equal in number to said number of sides
of said polygonal bottom panel, each of which ear members is
hingedly connected to a side of said polygonal bottom panel and is
downwardly extending therefrom for operative engagement with said
upwardly extending lower edge flaps of said container sides
assembly;
bottom reinforcement means corresponding generally in shape and
size to said polygonal bottom panel and disposed in intimate
proximity to said polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and
strengthen said polygonal bottom panel; and
a polygonal lid for said polygonal container, said polygonal
container having an opening at the top thereof and a selected
number of sides defining the opening, said polygonal lid
comprising:
a polygonal top panel having a number of polygonal sides which
number is the same as the number of sides of the polygonal
container, said polygonal top panel being of such size and shape as
to correspond substantially to the size and shape of the opening at
the top of the polygonal container;
a plurality of lid side panels being the same in number as the
number of sides of the polygonal container, each said lid side
panel having oppositely disposed upper and lower edges and opposed
side edges, and each said lid side panel being hingedly connected
at the proximal edge thereof to a polygonal side of said polygonal
top panel, each said lid side panel being adapted for folded
disposition downwardly substantially normal to said polygonal top
panel to dispose adjacent said lid side panels in substantially
contacting relationship at the opposed sides thereof when in such
assembled disposition;
means for maintaining said opposed sides in said substantially
contacting relationship and maintaining means including a
securement panel hingedly connected to the distal edge of each said
lid side panel, each said securement panel reflexively foldable
upwardly to dispose each said securement panel into intimate
proximity to the interior surface of each said lid side panel;
and
lid securement means for removably securing said polygonal top on
said assembled container sides assembly, said lid securement means
comprising:
a securement release access aperture disposed in at least one of
said lid side panels to form an apertured lid side panel; and
a lid securement flap hingedly disposed at the top edge of the
rectangular side panel corresponding to each said apertured lid
side panel, each said lid securement flap foldable outwardly and
downwardly for locking engagement with said corresponding
securement panel distal edge,
whereby when in assembled configuration said lid may be disposed
over said top portion of said container sides assembly to slide
over and lockingly engage said lid securement flaps, and whereby
said lid securement flaps may be pressed and disposed slightly
inwardly through said securement release access aperture thereby to
disengage said lid securement flap from said securement panel
distal edge for removing said cover.
30. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said lower edge
flaps and said corresponding and engaging ear members are equal in
number.
31. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein the number of said
rectangular side panels is even and greater than two.
32. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein the number of said
rectangular side panels is odd and greater than one.
33. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said
lower edge flaps of said container sides assembly is separated from
an adjacent lower edge flap by a slit extending from the lower
extremity of said container sides assembly to the said
corresponding rectangular side panel, whereby said lower edge flaps
are more easily folded upwardly for engagement with said ear
members of said container bottom assembly.
34. The polygonal container of claim 33 wherein said slits
separating said lower edge flaps from each other extend from said
lower extremity of said container sides assembly to a point
disposed between two adjacent rectangular side panels to permit
folding of each lower edge flap upwardly to correspond to each
individual rectangular side panel of said container sides
assembly.
35. The polygonal container of claim 33 where said slits separating
said lower flaps from each other extend from said lower extremity
of said container sides assembly to a point on a single rectangular
side paenl to permit engagement of a single ear member of said
container bottom assembly with two adjacent lower edge flaps,
whereby the strength and stability of the engagement between said
container bottom assembly and said container sides assembly of the
polygonal container is enhanced.
36. The polygonal container of claim 1 wherein said container sides
assembly is foldably formed from a unitary blank of relatively
rigid, but foldable, material and one said panel of said container
sides assembly has an edge with a longitudinally extending side
flap hingedly disposed therefrom, with the panel disposed at the
opposite side of said blank having a free edge for receiving said
longitudinally extending side flap, thereby to form an enclosure by
means of said rectangular side panels.
37. A polygonal container and integral foldable cap assembly
therefor, said container having a container sides assembly and a
container bottom assembly which is adapted for interlocking
engagement with said container sides assembly at the lower portion
thereof for forming the container bottom:
said container sides assembly comprising:
a plurality of generally rectangular side panels hingedly
interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of the
polygonal container; and
a plurality of lower edge flaps hingedly connected to the lower
edge of said rectangular side panels and adapted for folding
upwardly and inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive
corresponding elements from said container bottom assembly; and
a polygonal bottom panel having sides equal in number to said
rectangular side panels and being of such a size to fit snugly
within said container sides assembly when in assembled
configuration for forming the container bottom;
a plurality of ear members equal in number to said number of sides
of said polygonal bottom panel, each of which ear members is
hingedly connected to a side of said polygonal bottom panel and is
downwardly extending therefrom for operative engagement with said
upwardly extending lower edge flaps of said container sides
assembly;
bottom reinforcement means corresponding generally in shape and
size to said polygonal bottom panel and disposed in intimate
proximity to said polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and
strengthen said polygonal bottom panel; and
said foldable cap assembly for covering the opening at the top of
the enclosure formed by the polygonal container comprising:
at least one polygonal cover panel hingedly attached at a first
polygonal side thereof to the top edge of a first rectangular side
panel and foldable generally normal thereto for covering the top
opening of the polygonal container; and
a polygonal cover panel hinge foldably attached at a second
polygonal side thereof, which second polygonal side is adjacent
said first polygonal side, said polygonal cover panel hinge also
foldably attached to the top edge of a second rectangular side
panel, which second rectangular side panel is adjacent to said
first rectangular side panel, said polygonal cover panel hinge
being wedgeshaped to span the angle between said second polygonal
side of said polygonal cover panel and between said top edge of
said second rectangular side panel, said angle being generally
bisected by a fold line, whereby when said polygonal cover panel is
disposed normal to said first rectangular side panel said second
polygonal side of said polygonal panel is disposed onto said top
edge of said second rectangular side panel to cover the opening at
the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container.
38. The polygonal container of claim 27 wherein at least two
polygonal cover panels and accompanying polygonal cover panel
hinges are provided for overlapping disposition when said polygonal
cover panels are folded into said normal disposition with respect
to the corresponding rectangular side panels.
39. The polygonal container of claim 38 wherein said polygonal
cover panels are attached to rectangular side panels which are
separated by two intervening rectangular side panels.
40. The polygonal container of claim 37 further including at least
one supplemental cover panel which is of lesser size than said
polygonal cover panels and which is hingedly connected to a top
edge of said rectangular side panel and foldable into normal
disposition with regard to its respective rectangular side panel,
whereby said polygonal cover panels are further supported in
covering said enclosure opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to polygonal containers and
more particularly to polygonal containers having interlocking
container sides and bottom assemblies which further include a
bottom reinforcement means, whereby the resulting polygonal
container is one of exceptional strength and stability.
In the prior art, various polygonal container structures have been
proposed for containing various types of goods. A variety of
different materials, including paper board, fiber board, and
various corrugated materials have been proposed. Although many of
such prior art polygonal containers have been generally acceptable
for general and/or limited use, typically such prior art polygonal
containers have been less than optimal in performance and
especially in their weight-supporting capacity. Also, the prior art
containers frequently have utilized bottom structures which, rather
than representing a point of strength to the container, have
resulted in a feature of greatest relative weakness. Moreover, many
such prior art containers have resulted in the contained material
being supported directly by the ground, thereby frequently
resulting in damage to the contents thereof.
In view of the above and other difficulties associated with the
prior art, it is an object of the polygonal container of the
present invention to provide a container which has increased
weight-supporting capacity.
It is also an object of the polygonal container of the present
invention to provide a container having a bottom assembly of
greatly increased strength.
It is an additional object of the polygonal container of the
present invention to provide a container having an interlocking
container sides assembly and an interlocking container bottom
assembly, which further includes bottom reinforcement means
corresponding generally in shape and size to a polygonal bottom
panel and disposed into intimate proximity thereto to reinforce and
strengthen the bottom panel.
It is a further object of the polygonal container of the present
invention to provide bottom reinforcement means which may be
foldably formed from a unitary blank of material.
It is yet a further object of the polygonal container of the
present invention to provide a polygonal container including
stacking means and stacking cavity means to fit the containers
substantially snugly together for stability of stacking.
It is a yet further additional object of the polygonal container of
the present invention to provide a container top including a handle
grip, reinforcement associated therewith for strength thereof
during grasping and handling of the polygonal container.
It is also a further object of the polygonal container of the
present invention to provide a hingedly connected container lid
which may be interlockingly and removably disposed with respect to
the container sides assembly.
These and other objects and advantages of the polygonal container
of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art in view of the following specification.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In the polygonal container of the present invention there is
provided a container which is polygonal in shape and which has
separate container sides and container bottom assemblies adapted
for interlocking engagement therebetween. The container sides
assembly, in general, preferably comprises a unitary blank of
relatively rigid, but foldable, material having a plurality of
generally rectangular side panels hingedly interconnected to form
an enclosure defining the sides of the polygonal container. The
container sides assembly includes a plurality of lower edge flaps
hingedly connected to the lower edge of the rectangular side panels
and adapted for folding upwardly and inside the enclosure to
interlockingly receive corresponding elements of the container
bottom assembly.
The container bottom assembly comprises a polygonal bottom panel
having sides equal in number to the rectangular side panels of the
container sides assembly and is of such a size to fit snugly within
the container sides assembly when in assembled configuration
thereby forming the container bottom. The container bottom assembly
further includes a plurality of ear members equal in number to said
number of sides of the polygonal bottom panel. Each ear member is
hingedly connected to a side of the polygonal bottom panel and is
downwardly extending therefrom for operative engagement with the
upwardly extending lower edge flaps of the container sides
assembly.
A bottom reinforcement means which corresponds generally in shape
and size to the polygonal bottom panel is disposed in intimate
proximity to the polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and strengthen
the polygonal bottom panel. The bottom reinforcement means may
preferably comprise an insert of hard, resilient material, may be
formed from a block of styrofoam material, may be formed by a
spirally wound strip of material, or may be formed from a unitary
blank of corrugated material folded to form the bottom
reinforcement means.
The polygonal container of the present invention may further
include any of several lid assemblies therefor. One such preferred
lid assembly is hingedly connected to one of the rectangular side
panels at a top edge thereof. This preferred lid assembly comprises
a polygonal top panel of the size and shape generally corresponding
to the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal
container. A plurality of side panels extend downwardly from the
polygonal top panel to form interlocking sides of the lid assembly
such that the container is securely capped at each polygonal side
of the container opening. The container lid assembly further
preferably includes a lid securement means for releaseably
interlocking the lid assembly with the container sides
assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the
polygonal container of the present invention illustrating the
stackable feature thereof;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
showing the details of the container sides assembly, attached lid
assembly, and handle grip reinforcement means, and also showing the
container bottom assembly for insertion into a container sides
assembly for interlocking disposition therewith, and further
showing a bottom reinforcement insert;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 showing
the details of interlocking mechanism between the lower edge flaps
of the container sides assembly and the ear members of the
container bottom assembly;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 showing
the interlocking feature between the container sides assembly and
the container bottom assembly, also showing the means provided for
stacking several such polygonal containers, and further showing
means for removably securing the attached unitary lid assembly;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1 further
showing the details of the means provided for removably securing
the attached unitary lid assembly;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the polygonal container embodiment
as shown in FIG. 1 in partially assembled configuration;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the hingedly connected polygonal stacking
panels as shown disposed atop the polygonal container in FIG.
1;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the container bottom panel and hingedly
attached ear members thereof;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a unitary blank for forming the container
sides assembly, attached lid assembly, and attached handle grip
reinforcement means, the lid assembly having a polygonal top panel
with attached lid side panels and interlocking means provided
therefor; FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an alternative
preferred embodiment of the polygonal container of the present
invention showing the container sides assembly thereof;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 10
showing the alternative preferred embodiment of the present
invention as depicted in FIG. 10, further showing the interlocking
relationship between the container sides assembly and the container
bottom assembly, and yet further showing the bottom reinforcement
means thereof;
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a unitary blank for forming the container
sides assembly as shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is an exploded top perspective view of container sides
assembly showing the insertion therein of a preferred embodiment of
bottom reinforcement means for operative utilization therewith;
FIG. 14 is a fragmented cross-sectional view taken along line
14--14 of FIG. 13 showing the multi-layered and reflexively folded
bottom reinforcement insert disposed in relationship to the
container bottom assembly for reinforcement thereof;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a partially assembled bottom
reinforcement insert having a polygonal central bottom
reinforcement panel and attached supplemental bottom reinforcement
panels which are reflexively folded onto the polygonal central
panel as shown by arrows to form a multi-layered configuration
having a substantial thickness;
FIG. 16 is a top view of the multi-layered bottom reinforcement
insert as shown in FIG. 15 and further illustrating the resistance
to bending in any direction achieved by means of the overlapping
multi-layered configuration;
FIG. 17 is a plan view of a unitary blank for forming the bottom
reinforcement insert as shown in FIG. 15 showing the order of
reflexive folding of the supplemental bottom reinforcement
panels;
FIG. 18 is an exploded top perspective view of a further preferred
embodiment of a bottom reinforcement insert being insertable into a
container sides assembly;
FIG. 19 is a partially assembled bottom perspective view of the
bottom reinforcement insert shown in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a plan view of a unitary blank for forming the bottom
reinforcement insert shown in FIG. 18, showing a plurality of
supplemental bottom support panels hingedly connected to the bottom
container assembly for reflexively folding thereon to form a
multi-layered, unitary container bottom assembly and bottom
reinforcement means;
FIG. 21 is a fragmented view taken along line 21--21 of FIG. 18
showing the further preferred embodiment of the unitary container
bottom assembly and bottom reinforcement insert shown in FIG. 18 in
its assembled configuration in operative engagement with the
container sides assembly;
FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a further preferred
alternative embodiment of the polygonal container of the present
invention having twelve sides and having a corresponding detachable
lid assembly;
FIG. 23 is an exploded top perspective view of the twelve-sided
container of FIG. 22 showing the bottom reinforcement insert, the
container sides assembly, the container bottom assembly, and the
detachable lid therefor;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view taken along line 24--24 of FIG. 22
showing the operation of the securement means for removably
securing the lid assembly;
FIG. 25 is a plan view of a unitary blank for forming the container
sides assembly of the embodiment of the polygonal container of the
present invention shown in FIG. 22;
FIG. 26 is a plan view of a unitary blank for forming the
detachable lid assembly shown in FIG. 22;
FIG. 27 is a top view of the twelve-sided bottom reinforcement
insert shown in FIG. 23;
FIG. 28 is a plan view of the twelve-sided container bottom
assembly as shown in FIG. 23.
FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of a yet additional preferred
embodiment of the polygonal container of the present invention also
showing a foldable cap assembly therefor; FIG. 30 is an exploded
top perspective view of the polygonal container embodiment of FIG.
29 further showing spirally wound bottom reinforcement insert for
use in conjunction with the container bottom assembly;
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the top of the polygonal container
of FIG. 29 showing the polygonal cover panel folded upwardly to
illustrate the functional mechanism of its associated polygonal
cover panel hinge;
FIG. 32 is a fragmented bottom perspective view of the foldable cap
assembly of the polygonal container as shown in FIG. 29;
FIG. 33 is a fragmented cross-sectional view taken along line
33--33 of FIG. 29 showing the folded cap assembly and the spiral
bottom reinforcement insert;
FIG. 34 is a bottom view of the polygonal container of FIG. 29
showing the interlocking relationship between the slotted lower
edge flaps of the container sides assembly and the ear members of
the container bottom assembly, and further showing the spirally
wound reinforcement insert; and
FIG. 35 is a plan view of a unitary blank for forming both the
container sides assembly and the container cap assembly illustrated
in FIG. 29.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Polygonal containers in accordance with the principles and
teachings of the present invention include a container sides
assembly and a container bottom assembly which is adapted for
interlocking engagement with the container sides assembly at the
lower portion thereof to form the container bottom. The container
sides assembly comprises a plurality of generally rectangular side
panels interconnected to form an enclosure defining the sides of
the polygonal container. A plurality of preferably slotted lower
edge flaps are hingedly connected to the lower edge of the
rectangular side panels and are adapted for folding upwardly and
inside the enclosure to interlockingly receive corresponding
elements from the container bottom assembly.
The container bottom assembly includes a polygonal bottom panel
having sides equal in number to those of the rectangular side
panels and is of such a size as to snugly fit within the container
sides assembly when it is in assembled configuration, thereby to
form the container bottom. A plurality of ear members equal in
number to the number of sides of the polygonal bottom panel are
each hingedly connected to a side of the polygonal bottom panel and
extend downwardly therefrom for operative engagement with the
upwardly extending lower edge flaps of the container sides
assembly. A bottom reinforcement means for the container bottom is
provided to correspond generally to the size and shape of the
polygonal bottom panel and to be disposed into intimate proximity
to the polygonal bottom panel to reinforce and strengthen the
polygonal bottom panel. Such bottom reinforcement means preferably
is disposed in contact with and is fixedly secured to the polygonal
bottom panel at the underside thereof. Means for fixably securing
the bottom reinforcement means may includes staples, glue, or other
means known to one skilled in the art. The bottom reinforcement
means may also be maintained in intimate proximity to the polygonal
bottom panel by means of an interference fit between the bottom
reinforcement means and the plurality of lower edge flaps when the
lower edge flaps are folded upwardly and inside the container
enclosure to interlockingly receive the ear members of the
container bottom assembly.
The bottom reinforcement means may preferably comprise an insert of
a hard, resilient material, such as metal, plastic, fiberboard, or
other materials. An insert of styrofoam material may also be
utilized. An alternative preferred bottom reinforcement means may
comprise an insert of a vertically corrugated material having a
multiplicity of corrugated ribs extending normal to the polygonal
bottom panel such as in a vertical honeycomb configuration. The
multiplicity of corrugated ribs covers substantially one face of
the polygonal bottom panel to support and reinforce the entirety
thereof and especially against a downwardly compressive force.
Further alternative bottom reinforcement means may comprise a
preferably unitary blank having a polygonal central bottom
reinforcement panel corresponding generally to the size and shape
of the polygonal bottom panel. A plurality of supplemental
reinforcement panels equal in number to the number of polygonal
sides of the polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel may be
attached thereto by means of hinges disposed therebetween, thereby
permitting reflexively folding a first supplemental bottom
reinforcement panel and the others in sequence to form a
multi-layered insert having a substantial thickness. The length of
the hinge means between the respective supplemental bottom
reinforcement panels and the polygonal central reinforcement panel
preferably increases proportionally from the first supplemental
bottom panel to the last supplemental reinforcement bottom panel,
whereby the multi-layered insert once folded will tend to remain in
such multi-layered configuration without the application of
substantial external force. The polygonal bottom reinforcement
panel, the supplemental bottom reinforcement panel, and the hinge
means may preferably comprise a horizontally corrugated material
having corrugated ribs disposed generally parallel to each other
uniformly along the length of the unitary panel. The result of such
a structure is that when the supplemental bottom panels are
reflexively folded to form the multi-layered insert configuration,
the corrugated ribs on adjacent supplemental bottom panels overlap
each other at an acute angle to form a structure having
substantially uniform flex resistance to bending in any lateral
direction. This preferred embodiment of a bottom reinforcement
insert preferably has sides of less than seven (7) in number with
the hexagonal shape being preferred.
A further alternative embodiment of a bottom reinforcement means
includes a plurality of hingedly interconnected supplemental bottom
support panels of substantially the same size and shape as the
polygonal bottom panel, at least one of which supplemental bottom
support panels is hingedly connected to the bottom support panel at
a polygonal side thereof for reflexively folding onto the bottom
support panel, thereby to provide reinforcement thereto. The
supplemental bottom support panels are reflexively folded on the
underside of the polygonal bottom container in preferred
embodiments. At least one such supplemental bottom support panel is
hingedly connected to each of a pair of opposing polygonal sides of
the polygonal bottom support panel. Such opposing connected
supplemental bottom support panels are preferably hingedly
connected to the polygonal side of the polygonal bottom panel near
the juncture of the connected polygonal side with the adjacent
polygonal side of the polygonal bottom panel. In such embodiments,
the ear members of the container bottom assembly are connected to
such polygonal bottom panel interior of the connection thereof with
the supplemental bottom support panel. Also in such preferred
embodiments, at least a first supplemental bottom support panel is
foldable along a fold line dividing such first supplemental bottom
support panel into equal parts for reflexively folding at least
such first supplemental bottom support panel onto itself, whereby
the container bottom is disposed into folded configuration. In such
a configuration each such opposing first supplemental bottom
support panel reinforces one-half of the polygonal bottom panel. A
second supplemental bottom support panel having such fold lines
thereon is preferably provided for hinged connection to the
oppositely disposed first supplemental bottom support panel for
additional reinforcement to the polygonal bottom panel.
In other alternative preferred embodiments, the reinforcement means
may comprise a strip of flexible material which is spirally wound
to form a cylindrical body having a diameter of such size and shape
as to fit snugly with respect to the lower edge flaps of the
container sides assembly when the container sides assembly is
disposed in interlocking engagement with the container bottom
assembly. Such polygonal containers may have from twelve (12) to
twenty-four (24) sides, although a lesser number of sides, such as
the hexagonal shape, is meant to be included within the scope of
the present invention.
The polygonal container of the present invention may further
include a stacking cavity at the bottom thereof bounded by the
bottom reinforcement means lower surface and the lower edge flaps.
Corresponding means for covering the opening at the top of the
polygonal container of the enclosure may include thereon a mating
stacking means projecting above the surface thereof for engagement
with the stacking cavity of another polygonal container. The
stacking means and stacking cavity are preferably of such
corresponding size and shape to fit substantially snugly together,
whereby stable stacking of containers may be maintained. One
preferred embodiment for such stacking means includes at least two
polygonal stacking panels hingedly connected at polygonal sides
thereof for reflexively folding together into intimate contact of
the respective faces thereof to form a stacking block of
substantial thickness for stacking engagement with the stacking
cavity. Alternatively, a solid block of material, such as
styrofoam, may be utilized.
A polygonal container of the present invention may further include,
in conjunction with a lid assembly having an aperture therein, a
handle grip reinforcement means for use when the container is
manually grasped and handled. Such handle grip reinforcement means
preferably comprises a grip member which is hingedly connected at
the proximal portion thereof to the top edge of the rectangular
side panel forming the proximate polygonal side and projecting
laterally across the opening to a position adjacent the lid
aperture. Such handle grip reinforcement grip member is preferably
reflexively foldable at a central portion thereof and has a mating
tab for interlocking engagement with a horizontal slot means
contained in the corresponding rectangular side panel top
portion.
The polygonal container of the present invention may also include a
lid assembly hingedly connected to one of the rectangular side
panels at the top edge thereof. The lid assembly preferably
comprises a polygonal top panel of sufficient size and shape to
cover the opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the
polygonal container. The top panel is hingedly connected at a first
lid polygonal side thereof to the top edge of one of the
rectangular side panels to form a first, hinged polygonal lid side.
A plurality of lid side panels, being one less in number than the
number of polygonal sides of the polygonal container, are each
hingedly connected at a proximal portion thereof to a polygonal
side of the polygonal top panel. Each lid side panel is disposable
downwardly when in assembled configuration into contacting
relationship with the top portion of the corresponding rectangular
top panels of the container sides assembly to close the opening at
the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. A pair
of the lid side panels are connected to second and third lid
polygonal sides adjacent to the first, hinged polygonal lid side.
Each of the second and third lid polygonal sides has a free side
edge and abutting side edges. The remainder of the lid side panels
have two opposed abutting side edges when the lid side panels are
disposed downwardly in an assembled configuration.
A plurality of interlocking panels, being two less in number than
the number of polygonal sides of the polygonal container, are each
hingedly connected to an opposed side edge of a corresponding lid
side panel. Each side panel bears a locking protrusion thereon.
Each of a plurality of securement panels, being three less than the
number of sides of the polygonal container, is hingedly connected
at its proximal end to the distal end of one of the remainder of
the lid side panels. Each such securement panel has a locking slit
disposed at the hinged connection with the corresponding lid side
panel for mating engagement with such locking protrusion, thereby
to secure the lid in assembled configuration.
The unitary lid and container sides assembly preferably further
includes lid securement means for removably securing the assembled
lid atop the assembled container sides assembly. The lid securement
means preferably comprises a securement release access aperture
disposed in at least one of the remainder of the lid side panels to
form an apertured lid side panel. A lid securement flap is hingedly
disposed at the top edge of the rectangular side panel
corresponding to each of the apertured lid side panels. Each of the
lid securement flaps is foldable outwardly and downwardly for
locking engagement with the corresponding securement panel distal
edge. The result of such structure is that, when the lid assembly
is in assembled configuration, it may be disposed over the top
portion of the container sides assembly to slide over and lockingly
engage the lid securement flap. Thereafter, the lid securement
flaps may be manually pressed and disposed slightly inwardly
through the securement release access aperture to disengage the lid
securement flaps from the securement panel distal edge for removing
the cover.
The polygonal container of the present invention may have a
polygonal lid provided for use in connection therewith. The
polygonal lid includes a polygonal top panel having a number of
polygonal sides the same in number as the number of sides of the
corresponding polygonal container. The polygonal top panel is of
such size and shape to correspond substantially to the size and
shape of the opening of the top of the polygonal container. A
plurality of lid side panels are provided, being the same in number
as the number of sides of the polygonal container, each having
oppositely disposed upper and lower edges and opposed side edges.
Each lid side panel is hingedly connected at a proximal edge
thereof to a polygonal side of the polygonal top panel for foldable
disposition downwardly and substantially normal to the polygonal
top panel to dispose adjacent lid side panels in substantially
contacting relationship at the opposed sides thereof.
Also included are means for maintaining the opposed sides in
substantially contacted relationship. A securement panel is
hingedly connected to the distal edge of each lid side panel with
the securement panel being reflexively foldable upwardly to dispose
each securement panel into intimate proximity to the interior
surface of each of the lid side panels. Further included are lid
securement means for removably securing the polygonal top on the
assembled container. The lid securement means includes a securement
release access aperture disposed on at least one of the lid side
panels to form an apertured lid side panel. A lid securement flap
is hingedly disposed at the top edge of the rectangular side panel
corresponding to each of the apertures of the side panels. Each lid
securement panel is foldable outwardly and downwardly for locking
engagement with the corresponding securement panel distal edge. The
result is that when in assembled configuration the lid assembly may
be disposed over the top portion of the container sides assembly to
slide over and lockingly engage the lid securement flap.
The polygonal container of the present invention may preferably
have lower edge flaps and corresponding engaging ear members which
are equal in number. The number of sides of the polygonal container
may be three or greater, preferably six in some embodiments and
twelve to twenty-four in others. The lower edge flaps of the
container sides assembly are preferably separated from each other
by a slit extending from the lower extremity of the container sides
assembly to the corresponding rectangular side panel, thereby to
render the lower edge flaps more easily foldable upwardly in
engagement with the ear members of the container bottom assembly.
Such slits separating the lower edge flaps may perferably extend
from the lower extremity of the container to a point preferably
disposed between two adjacent rectangular side panels to permit
greater ease in folding the lower edge flaps upwardly.
The container sides assembly may further preferably include a
longitudinally extending side flap hingedly disposed therefrom,
with the panel disposed at the opposite side of the blank having a
free edge for receiving the longitudinally extending side flap,
thereby to form the enclosure of the polygonal container.
The polygonal container of the present invention may also include
in preferred embodiments a cap assembly for covering the opening at
the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. The cap
assembly preferably includes at least one polygonal cover panel
hingedly attached at a first polygonal side thereof to the top edge
of a first rectangular side panel. The polygonal cover panel is
foldable generally normal to the first rectangular side panel for
covering the top opening of the polygonal container. A polygonal
cover hinge is foldably attached to the polygonal cover panel at a
second polygonal side which is adjacent to the first polygonal
side. The polygonal cover hinge is also foldably attached at the
top edge of a second rectangular side panel which is adjacent to
the first rectangular side panel. The polygonal cover hinge is
wedge-shaped to span the angle between the second polygonal side of
the polygonal cover panel and between the top edge of the second
rectangular side panel, the angle being generally bisected by a
fold line thereby forming the hinged structure. The functioning of
that structure is such that, when the polygonal cover panel is
disposed normal to the first rectangular side panel, the second
polygonal side of the polygonal cover panel is disposed onto the
top edged of the second rectangular side panel to cover the opening
at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. In
an alternative preferred embodiment, at least two polygonal cover
panels and accompanying polygonal cover hinges may be provided for
overlapping disposition when in the folded position normal to the
correspondingly rectangular side panels. The polygonal cover panels
may be separated by two intervening rectangular side panels.
Supplemental cover panels of lesser size than the polygonal cover
panels may be provided for supplemental support to the polygonal
cover panels when in such folded and covering relationship.
Referring now to the drawing wherein common members are for the
most part utilized for common elements and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in
particular, the polygonal container of the present invention shown
generally at 100 includes a container sides assembly generally 102
and a container bottom assembly generally 104 which is adapted for
interlocking engagement with container sides assembly 102 at the
lower portion 103 thereof to form the container bottom. Container
sides assembly 102 comprises a plurality of generally rectangular
side panels 106a-f (see FIGS. 9 and 12) interconnected to form an
enclosure 108 defining the sides of polygonal container 100. A
plurality of preferably slotted, lower edge flaps 110a-f are
hingedly connected to the lower edge 112 of rectangular side panels
106a-c and are adapted for folding upwardly and inside enclosure
108 to interlockingly receive corresponding elements from container
bottom assembly 104. Container bottom assembly 104 includes a
polygonal bottom panel 114 having sides equal in number to those of
the rectangular side panels 106a-f and is of such a size as to
snugly fit within the container sides assembly 102 when it is in
assembled configuration, thereby to form the container bottom. As
shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of ear members 116a-f equal in number
to the number of sides of polygonal bottom panel 114 are each
hingedly connected to a side of polygonal bottom panel 114 and
extend downwardly therefrom for operative engagement with the
upwardly extending lower edge flaps 110a-f of container sides
assembly 102. A bottom reinforcement means generally 118 for the
container bottom is provided to correspond generally to the size
and shape of polygonal bottom panel 114 and to be disposed into
intimate proximity to polygonal bottom panel 114 to reinforce and
strengthen polygonal bottom panel 114. Such bottom reinforcement
means 118 preferably is disposed in contact with and is fixably
secured to polygonal bottom panel 114 at the underside 120 thereof
as shown in FIG. 4. Means for fixably securing the bottom
reinforcement means may include staples, glue or other means known
to one skilled in the art. Bottom reinforcement means 118 may also
be maintained in intimate proximity to polygonal bottom panel 114
by means of an interference fit between bottom reinforcement means
118 and the plurality of lower edge flaps 110a-f where lower edge
flaps 110a-f are folded upwardly and inside the container enclosure
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to interlockingly receive ear members
116a-f of container bottom assembly 104.
Bottom reinforcement means 104 may preferably comprise an insert of
a hard, resilient material, such as metal, plastic, fiberboard, or
other material. An insert of styrofoam material may also be
utilized. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 11, an alternative preferred
bottom reinforcement means 118 may comprise an insert of a
vertically corrugated material having a multiplicity of corrugated
ribs 122 extending normal to polygonal bottom panel 114 such as in
a vertical honeycomb configuration. The multiplicity of corrugated
ribs 122 covers substantially one face of polygonal bottom panel
114 to support and reinforce the entirety thereof and especially
against a downwardly compressive force.
As shown in FIGS. 13-17, further alternative bottom reinforcement
means 125 may comprise a preferably unitary blank 124 as shown in
FIG. 17 having a polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel 126
corresponding generally to the size and shape of the polygonal
bottom panel 114. A plurality of supplemental reinforcement panels
128a-f equal in number to the number of polygonal sides of the
polygonal central bottom reinforcement panel 126 may be attached
thereto by means of hinges 130a-f disposed therebetween (see FIG.
17) thereby permitting reflexively folding a first supplemental
bottom reinforcement panel 130a and the others 130b-f in sequence
to form a multi-layered insert 131 having a substantial thickness.
The length of hinge means 130a-f between the respective
supplemental bottom reinforcement panels 128a-f and polygonal
central reinforcement panel 126 preferably increases proportionally
from first supplemental bottom panel 128a to the last supplemental
reinforcement bottom panel 128f, whereby the multi-layered insert
125 once folded will tend to remain in such multi-layered
configuration without the application of substantial external
force. Polygonal bottom reinforcement panel 126, supplemental
bottom reinforcement panel 128a-f and hinge means 130a-f may
preferably comprise a horizontally corrugated material having
corrugated ribs 132 disposed generally parallel to each other
uniformly along the length of unitary panel 218. The result of such
a structure is that when the supplemental bottom panels 128a-f are
reflexively folded in such numbered sequence to form multi-layered
insert 131, corrugated ribs 132 on adjacent supplemental bottom
panels overlap each other at an acute angle to form a structure
having substantially uniform flex resistance to bending in any
lateral direction, as illustrated by grain direction lines 1-3-6,
and 2-5 of FIG. 16. This preferred embodiment of a bottom
reinforcement insert 125 preferably has sides of less than seven
(7) in number with the hexagonal shape being preferred as
illustrated in FIGS. 13-17.
A further laternative embodiment of a bottom reinforcement means
134 is shown in FIGS. 18-21 and includes a plurality of hingedly
interconnected supplemental bottom support panels 136a-f of
substantially the same size and shape as polygonal bottom panel
114, at least one of which supplemental bottom support panels
(136d, for example) is hingedly connected directly to bottom
support panel 114 at a polygonal side 138 thereof for reflexively
folding onto the bottom support panel 114 as shown in FIG. 19,
thereby to provide reinforcement thereto. Supplemental bottom
support panels 136a-f are reflexively folded on the underside 138
of polygonal bottom container 114 in preferred embodiments. At
least one such supplemental bottom support panel (136c and 136d,
for example) is hingedly connected to each of a pair 138, 140 of
opposing polygonal sides of polygonal bottom support panel 114.
Such opposing connected supplemental bottom support panels 136c and
136d are preferably hingedly connected to polygonal sides 138, 140
of polygonal bottom panel 114 near the juncture of the connected
polygonal side with the adjacent polygonal side of polygonal bottom
panel. In such embodiments, ear members 116a, 116d of container
bottom assembly 104 are connected to such polygonal bottom panel
114 interior of the connection thereof with supplemental bottom
support panels 136d and 136c respectively . Also in such preferred
embodiments, at least a first supplemental bottom support panel
136d is foldable along a fold line 142 dividing such first
supplemental bottom support panel 136d into equal parts for
reflexively folding at least such first supplemental bottom support
panel 136d onto itself, whereby the container bottom is disposed
into folded configuration to form an insert of substantial
thickness as shown in FIG. 21. In such a configuration each such
opposing first supplemental bottom support panel 136c and 136d
reinforces one-half of the polygonal bottom panel 114. A second
supplemental bottom support panel 136e having such fold line 144
thereon is preferably provided for hinged connection to first
supplemental bottom support panel 136d for additional reinforcement
to the polygonal bottom panel 114. In further preferred embodiments
a third, unfolded supplemental bottom support panel 136f may be
attached to second supplemental bottom panel 136e opposite the
first supplemental bottom support panel 136d for yet further
support.
As shown in FIGS. 30, 33 and 34, in other alternative preferred
embodiments the reinforcement means 118 may comprise a strip 146 of
flexible material which is spirally wound to form a cylindrical
body 148, as shown in FIG. 30. Cylindrical body 148 has a diameter
of such size and shape as to fit snugly with respect to lower edge
flaps 110a-f of container sides assembly 102 when container sides
assembly 102 is disposed in interlocking engagement with container
bottom assembly 104. Such polygonal containers may have from twelve
(12) to twenty-four (24) sides, although a lesser number of sides,
such as the hexagonal shape as shown, is meant to be included
within the scope of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the polygonal container of the present
invention 100 may further include a stacking cavity 148 at the
bottom thereof bounded by bottom reinforcement means 118 lower
surface 150 and lower edge flaps 110a-f. Corresponding cover means
generally 152 in the form of a lid assembly for covering the
opening at the top of the polygonal container enclosure may include
thereon a mating stacking means 154 projecting above the surface
thereof for engagement with stacking cavity 148 of another
polygonal container 100. Stacking means 154 and stacking cavity 148
are preferably of such corresponding size and shape to fit
substantially snugly together as shown in FIG. 4, whereby stable
stacking of containers may be maintained as shown in FIG. 1. As
shown in FIG. 7, one preferred embodiment for such stacking means
154 includes at least two polygonal stacking panels 156, 158
hingedly connected by hinge 160 at polygonal sides thereof for
reflexively folding together into intimate contact of the
respective faces 156a, 158a thereof to form a stacking block of
substantial thickness for stacking engagement with stacking cavity
148. Alternatively, a solid block of material, such as styrofoam,
may be utilized.
One preferred embodiment of the polygonal container 100 of the
present invention may further include, in conjunction with lid
assembly 152 having an aperture 160 therein, a handle grip
reinforcement means generally 164 for use when the container is
manually grasped and handled, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 9. Such
handle grip reinforcement means 164 preferably comprises a grip
member 166 which is hingedly connected at the proximal portion 168
thereof to the top edge of rectangular side panel 106f forming the
proximate polygonal side and projecting laterally across the
opening to a position adjacent lid aperture 162. Such handle grip
reinforcement grip member 166 is preferably reflexively foldable at
a central portion 170 thereof and has a mating tab at the distal
end 174 thereof for interlocking engagement with a horizontal slot
means 176 contained in the top portion of the corresponding
rectangular side panel 106f.
Polygonal container 100 of the present invention preferably
includes lid assembly 152 which is hingedly connected to one of the
rectangular side panels 106c at the top edge thereof as shown
especially in FIGS. 2, 6 and 9. Lid assembly 152 preferably
comprises a polygonal top panel 180 of sufficient size and shape to
cover opening 108 at the top of the enclosure formed by polygonal
container 100. As shown especially in FIG. 9, a plurality of lid
side panels 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, being one less in number than
the number of polygonal sides of polygonal container 100, are each
hingedly connected at respective proximal portions thereof to
polygonal sides 182a, 184a, 196a, 188a, and 190a of polygonal top
panel 180. Each lid side panel 182, 184, 186, 188, 190 is
disposable downwardly when in assembled configuration into
contacting relationship with the top portion of the corresponding
rectangular top panels of the container sides assembly to close the
opening at the top of the enclosure formed by the polygonal
container, as shown in FIG. 1 in particular. A pair of the lid side
panels 182, 190 are connected to second and third lid polygonal
sides 182a, 190a adjacent to the first hinged polygonal lid side
186a. As shown particularly in FIG. 6, each of the second and third
lid polygonal sides 182a, 190a has a free side edge 182b, 190b and
an abutting side edge 182c, 190c. The remainder of the lid side
panels 184, 186, 188 have two opposed abutting side edges 184c,
186c, 188c when the lid side panels are disposed downwardly into an
assembled configuration.
A plurality of interlocking panels 182d, 184d, 188d, 190d, being
two less in number than the number of polygonal sides of the
polygonal container, are each hingedly connected to opposed side
edges 182c, 184c, 188c, 190c of corresponding lid side panels 182,
184, 188, 190. Each such side panel bears a locking protrusion
182e, 184e, 188e, 190e thereon. Each of a plurality of securement
panels 184f, 186f, 188f, being three less than the number of sides
of the polygonal container, is hingedly connected at its proximal
end to the distal end of lid side panels 184, 186, 188. Each such
securement panel has a locking slit 184g, 186g, 188g disposed at
the hinged connection with corresponding lid side panel 184, 186,
188 for mating engagement with such locking protrusion, thereby to
secure the lid in assembled configuration.
Lid assembly 152 and container sides assembly 102 preferably
further include lid securement means for removably securing the
assembled lid 152 atop the assembled container sides assembly 102.
The lid securement means whose functioning is best seen in FIG. 5
preferably comprises securement release access aperture 192, 192
disposed in lid side panels 184, 188 to form an apertured lid side
panel. Lid securement flaps 194, 196 are hingedly disposed at the
top edge of the rectangular side panels 106a, 106e corresponding to
each of the apertured lid side panels. Each of the lid securement
flaps 194, 196 is foldable outwardly and downwardly for locking
engagement with the corresponding securement panel distal edge
184h, 188h. The result of such structure is that, when the lid
assembly is in assembled configuration, it may be disposed over the
top portion of the container sides assembly 102 to slide over and
lockingly engage lid securement flaps 194, 196. Thereafter, the lid
securement flaps may be manually pressed and disposed slightly
inwardly through the securement release access apertures 192, 192
to disengage lid securement flaps 194, 196 from securement panel
distal edges 182d, 190d for removing lid assembly 152.
Polygonal container 100 of the present invention may have a
polygonal lid generally 198 provided for use in connection
therewith, as shown in FIGS. 22-28, which functions in some
respects similarly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 9.
Polygonal lid 198 includes a polygonal top panel 200 having a
number of polygonal sides the same in number as the number of sides
of the corresponding polygonal container 100 as shown in FIG. 22.
Polygonal top panel 200 is of such size and shape to correspond
substantially to the size and shape of the opening 108 at the top
of the polygonal container. A plurality of lid side panels 202,
204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224 are provided,
being the same in number as the number of sides of the polygonal
container, each having oppositely disposed upper edges 202a et
seq., lower edges 202b et. seq., and opposed side edges 202c et.
seq. Each lid side panel is hingedly connected at a proximal edge
thereof to a polygonal side of the polygonal top panel for foldable
disposition downwardly and substantially normal to the polygonal
top panel to dispose adjacent lid side panels in substantially
contacting relationship at the opposed sides thereof.
Also included are means for maintaining the opposed sides in
substantially contacted relationship. Securement panels 202d et.
seq. are hingedly connected to the distal edge 202b et. seq. of
each lid side panel with the respective securement panel being
reflexively foldable upwardly to dispose each securement panel into
intimate proximity to the interior surface of each of the lid side
panels. Interlocking panels 202e et.seq. are provided for
interlocking the respective lid side panels 200 et. seq. by the
mechanism as shown in greater detail in connection with FIGS. 2 and
6. Further included are lid securement means for removably securing
the polygonal top on the assembled container. The lid securement
means includes securement release access aperture 192 disposed on
lid side panels 202, 208, 214, 220 to form apertured lid side
panels. Lid securement flaps 226a-226e are hingedly disposed at the
top edges of rectangular side panels 106a-106e corresponding to
each of the apertures of the side panels. Each lid securement panel
202d et. seq. is foldable outwardly and downwardly for locking
engagement with the corresponding securement panel distal edge 202f
et. seq. The result is that when in assembled configuration lid
assembly 200 may be disposed over the top portion of the container
sides assembly to slide over and lockingly engage lid securement
flaps 226a-226e.
The polygonal container of the present invention may preferably
have lower edge flaps 110 and corresponding engaging ear members
116 which are equal in number. The number of sides of the polygonal
container may be three or greater, preferably six in some
embodiments and twelve to twenty-four in others. The lower edge
flaps of the container sides assembly are preferably separated from
each other by slits 230 extending from the lower extremity 232 of
container sides assembly 102 to the corresponding rectangular side
panel 106 thereby to render lower edge flaps 110 more easily
foldable upwardly in engagement with ear members 110 of container
bottom assembly 102. Such slits 230 may preferably extend from the
lower extremity 232 of the container to a point preferably disposed
between two adjacent rectangular side panels as shown in FIGS. 25
and 35 to permit greater ease in folding the lower edge flaps
upwardly. Alternatively, such slits 230 may extend to a point
dividing the lower edge of an individual rectangular side panel, as
shown in FIGS. 9 and 12.
The container sides assembly 102 may further preferably include a
longitudinally extending side flap 234 hingedly disposed therefrom,
with the panel disposed at the opposite side of the blank having a
free edge 236 for receiving the longitudinally extending side flap,
thereby to form the enclosure of the polygonal container.
As shown in particular in FIGS. 29-35, polygonal container 100 of
the present invention may also include in preferred embodiments a
cap assembly generally 238 for covering the opening at the top of
the enclosure formed by the polygonal container. The cap assembly
preferably includes overlapping polygonal cover panels 240, 242
hingedly attached at first polygonal sides 240a, 242a thereof to
the top edge of rectangular side panels 106b, 106e. Polygonal cover
panels 240, 242 are foldable generally normal to rectangular side
panels 106b, 106e for covering the top opening of polygonal
container 100. Polygonal cover hinges 244, 246 are foldably
attached to the polygonal cover panels 240, 242 at second polygonal
sides 240b, 242b which are respectively adjacent to first polygonal
sides 240a, 242a. Polygonal cover hinges 244, 246 are also foldably
attached at the top edge of second rectangular side panels 106c,
106f which are adjacent respectively to the first rectangular side
panels 106b, 106f. Polygonal cover hinges 244, 246 are wedge-shaped
to span the angle between the respective second polygonal sides
240b, 242b of polygonal cover panels 240, 242 and between the top
edges of the respective second rectangular side panels 106c, 106f,
the angle being generally bisected by respective fold lines 250,
252 thereby forming the hinged structure. The functioning of that
structure is such that, when polygonal cover panels 240, 242 are
disposed normal to the respective rectangular side panels 106b,
106e, the second polygonal sides 240b, 242b of polygonal cover
panels 240, 242 are disposed onto the top edges of rectangular side
panels 106c, 106f to cover the opening at the top of the enclosure
formed by polygonal container 100.
Polygonal cover panels 240, 242 may be separated by two intervening
rectangular side panels. Supplemental cover panels 254, 256 of
lesser size than polygonal cover panels 240, 242 may be provided
for supplemental support to polygonal cover panels 240, 242 when
they are disposed in such folded and covering relationship.
The material preferably utilized for construction of polygonal
containers of the present invention is a rigid but foldable
material. Materials which have proved to be notably successful have
been corrugated materials.
The basic and novel characteristics of the polygonal container of
the present invention will be readily understood from the foregoing
disclosure by those skilled in the art. It will become readily
apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the
form, construction and arrangement of the polygonal container of
the present invention as set forth hereinabove without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention set
forth hereinabove are not intended to limit such spirit and scope
in any way.
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